Folding-box insert, and folding box for a folding-box insert

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a folding-box insert ( 10; 50 ), in particular for cylindrical articles ( 2 ), such as ampoules, bottles and the like, having a blank ( 1; 51 ) which forms two accommodating chambers (31, 32) for accommodating in particular the end portions of the articles ( 2 ), wherein the accommodating chambers ( 31, 32 ) each comprise a wall portion ( 14; 14   a,    15; 15   a ) which is spaced apart from a base portion ( 11 ) and has a cutout ( 29; 29   a ) for accommodating the respective end portion of the article ( 2 ), and wherein the wall portion ( 14; 14   a,    15; 15   a ) has flaps ( 33, 34; 52, 53 ) which are articulated via folds ( 36, 37; 55 ) and can be folded over in the direction of the base portion ( 11 ). According to the invention, it is provided that the flaps ( 33, 34; 52, 53 ) are designed as means for propping up the accommodating chambers ( 31, 32 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a folding-box insert and a folding box for a folding-box insert.

Such a folding-box insert, which is denoted as a tray pack, and such a folding box are already known from the European Parliament patent specification EP 0 491 399 B1. The known folding-box insert serves to accommodate cylindrical articles, in particular ampoules, syringe bodies, vials, small bottles or something similar, as said articles are used particularly in the pharmaceutical field. To this end, the known folding-box insert forms two accommodating chambers comprising cutouts for accommodating the end portions of the cylindrical articles in a clamping manner. The accommodating chambers are formed by wall portions, which are disposed spaced apart from a base portion of the folding-box insert. The folding-box insert is manufactured from a single piece blank, wherein the accommodating chambers are formed by strip-shaped regions of the blank, which are connected to each other via fold edges, wherein the opposing end regions of said blanks are folded over against the base portion of said blank and bonded to the same. The accommodating chambers can subsequently be formed by erecting the opposing end regions of the blank in order to subsequently fill said chambers with the corresponding articles. The disadvantage with this is that the folding-box insert has to be held in the region of the accommodating chambers while being filled with the articles so that said accommodating chambers do not fold back into the original, flat-lying position thereof. Flaps, which are articulated via fold edges at the wall sections of the accommodating chambers on the side opposite to the base portion, are in fact provided on the folding-box insert known from the European Parliament patent specification EP 0 491 399 B1; however, said flaps serve to connect said folding-box insert to a folding box enclosing the same so that said folding-box insert is captively fastened within the folding box.

At the same time, this fastening of the folding-box insert in the folding box by means of flaps bonded by an adhesive ensures that said folding-box insert does not detach from said folding box when removing the articles from the latter. In so doing, a simpler and better handling is facilitated when removing the contents from said folding box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

On the basis of the prior art described above, the aim underlying the invention is to further develop a folding-box insert such that a simpler handling is facilitated when filling the folding-box insert with the corresponding articles. Particular attention should thereby be paid to preventing the accommodating chambers from returning to the original, flat-lying state thereof prior to the articles being inserted. In addition, it is the aim of the invention to further develop a folding box for a folding-box insert such that the manufacturing costs of the packaging comprising the folding-box insert and folding box are reduced in so far as the additional processing steps resulting from bonding areas between the folding-box insert and the folding box surrounding said folding-box insert are eliminated, wherein at the same time, said folding-box insert is to be fixed in the folding box if articles are removed from the latter. These aims are met by a folding-box insert and a folding box for a folding-box insert, according to the invention.

All combinations from at least two of the features disclosed in the claims, description and/or the figures fall within the scope of the invention. Provision is made in a first design implementation of the folding-box insert for the flaps to be disposed as first flaps, which are articulated via folds, at at least one lateral delimiting edge of the wall portion, wherein the first flap has such a form that said flap can be folded into the lateral opening cross-section of the accommodating chamber. Particularly an interaction of the flap with the delimiting walls of the blank of the accommodating chamber is caused by folding the first flap into the opening cross-section of the accommodating chamber. As a result, said accommodating chamber is fixed or positioned in the erected state thereof.

In order to prevent the first flap from folding back out of, or respectively swinging out of, the opening cross-section of the accommodating chamber, provision is thereby made in a preferred manner for the folded edge of said first flap to be disposed laterally indented at the delimiting edge of the wall portion.

In an alternative embodiment of the folding-box insert, provision is made for the flaps to be designed as second flaps, for the second flaps to be articulated via folds at the cutout for accommodating the end portion of the article and for the second flaps to be able to be folded into the lateral opening cross-section of the accommodating chamber in the direction of the base portion. This solution has the advantage of requiring less material for the blank of the folding-box insert.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the folding-box insert, provision is made for the base portion disposed between the two accommodating chambers to interact with end portions of the blank and to be locked and where applicable adhesively bonded to said end portions, said end portions being disposed on the bottom of the base portion. This solution provides the advantage of the folding-box insert having a particularly high bending stiffness in the longitudinal direction thereof, which facilitates the handling of the articles or respectively the insertion of said articles into the accommodating chambers. In addition, this solution has the advantage of providing the observer with an improved physical appearance by a side of the material of the blank being coated.

In a preferred embodiment of the folding box for a folding-box insert, provision is made for the blank to have a cover, which is disposed at least in the cover wall, for the means to be designed as regions of the cover wall disposed outside of the cover. Hence, the regions of the cover wall disposed outside of the cover fix or hold the folding-box insert counter to the removal direction of the articles out of receptacles of the folding-box insert.

Provision is made in a preferred manner for the cover to be connected to the blank via perforations or at least one scoring. In so doing, a simple opening of the cover is facilitated.

It is furthermore particularly preferred for the cover to be designed to enter into a side wall portion of the blank and to have a tear-open tab. A simple gripping of the cover and therefore a simple handling for opening the cover are thereby facilitated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, features and details of the invention ensue from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments as well as with the aid of the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows the blank of a first inventive folding-box insert in a top view,

FIG. 2 shows the blank of a second inventive folding-box insert in a top view,

FIG. 3 shows in perspective view the folding-box insert from the blank of FIG. 1 in the erected state,

FIG. 4 shows a top view onto a blank of a folding box for use with a folding-box insert pursuant to FIG. 1 or 2 and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an opened folding box having articles disposed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The same parts or parts having the same function are provided with identical reference numerals in the figures.

The blank 1 of a first folding-box insert 10 is depicted in FIG. 1. The blank 1 in this case consists particularly of a piece of cardboard, wherein preferably a piece of coated cardboard is used, the one side of which (visible to a user) has a smooth, white surface. Said blank 1 is of substantially rectangular design and has portions 11 to 19 disposed parallel to one another. In this case, said blank 1 is of substantially symmetrical design and has the base portion 11 in the center, at which in each case an inner side wall portion 12, 13 is articulated via folds 20, 21. The inner side wall portions 12, 13 are connected via folds 22, 23 to wall portions 14, 15 forming cavity walls. Outer side wall portions 14, 15 attach to the upper wall portions 14, 15 via folds 24, 25. The outer side wall portions 16, 17 are in turn connected via folds 26, 27 to end portions 18, 19. Cutouts 29 are configured in, or respectively punched out of, the inner side wall portions 12, 13 as well as the upper wall portions 14, 15. In order to form the folding-box insert 10, the two end portions 18, 19 are folded towards the bottom of the base portion 11 and particularly adhesively bonded to said base portion. In so doing, a flat blank 1 is formed in a manner known per se, in which the inner side wall portions 12, 13 and the upper wall portions 14, 15 rest on the outer side wall portions 16, 17 and the end portions 18, 19.

Such a flat blank 1 can be erected in such a way that the upper wall portions 14, 15 are disposed spaced apart from the base portion 11 and thereby form accommodating chambers 31, 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

The accommodating chambers 31, 32 serve to accommodate the end portions of articles 2 (see FIG. 5) which are particularly designed as cylindrical articles 2 in the form of cylindrical ampoules, small bottles or something similar. The end portions of the articles 2 can be inserted here into the cutouts 29 arranged in the accommodating chambers 31, 32, said end portions of the articles 2 being held in a clamping manner in said cutouts 29.

The blank 1 of the first folding-box insert 10 comprises in accordance with the invention side flaps 33, 34 disposed on opposite sides in the region of the upper wall portions 14, 15. The side flaps 33, 34 are connected via folds 36, 37 to the upper wall portions 14, 15, or are respectively articulated to said upper wall portions 14, wherein the folds 36, 37 are disposed laterally indented with respect to the otherwise continuous lateral delimiting edges 38, 39 of the blank 1. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the side flaps 33, 34 each optionally comprise a tuck in flap 40, 41 on the side opposite to the folds 36, 37. It is essential to the invention that the form or the size of the side flaps 33, 34, or respectively the tuck in flaps 40, 41, is such that said side flaps 33, 34 can be folded over in the direction of the end portions 18, 19 when the accommodating chambers 31, 32 have been formed, wherein said side flaps 33, 34 swing into the laterally open opening cross-sections 42, 43 (FIG. 3) of the accommodating chambers 31, 32. If need be, the tuck in flaps 40, 41 can be interlocked with, or adhesively bonded to, the corresponding end portions 18, 19 of the blank 1 after the folding-box insert 10 has been placed in a packaged good conveyance and is transported further.

As a result of the folds 36, 37 of the side flaps 33, 34 being laterally indented with respect to the outer delimiting edges 38, 39, the lateral edges 44, 45 of the side flaps 33, 34 interact with the inner side wall portions 12, 13 and the outer side wall portions 16, 17 such that an erected attitude, or an erected position, of the accommodating chambers 31, 32 is assured. An improved handling is thereby facilitated when filling the folding-box insert 10 with the articles 2 or the folding box machine is simplified in the setup thereof in its product chain. This is the case because holding means or something similar along the product chain can be eliminated where appropriate or simpler holding means can be used.

The second folding-box insert 50 depicted in FIG. 2 varies from the first folding-box insert 10 in that the blank 51 of the second folding-box insert 50 does not have any lateral side flaps 33, 34. Instead of that, the cutouts 29 a comprise inwardly protruding flaps, which are articulated via folds 55, in the region of the upper wall portions 14 a, 15 a, said flaps being in the form of erecting portions 52, 53 which abut against each other and are uncoupled from each other by means of perforations, or respectively a slot 54. In this regard, provision is made for the erecting portions 52, 53 to be pushed downwards, i.e. in the direction of the end portions 18 a, 19 a, when the blank 51 is erected upon inserting the articles 2 into the cutouts 29 a. In so doing, the erecting portions 52, 53 protrude in analogy to the side flaps 33, 34 into the opening cross-sections of the accommodating chambers 31, 32, and therefore said accommodating chambers 31, 32 are prevented from folding back into the original flat-lying position thereof. Furthermore, said accommodating chambers are fixedly held in the cutouts 29 a, or where applicable locked in their position, when the articles 2 have been inserted.

A blank 61 of a folding box 60 according to the invention is depicted in FIG. 4. In this case, the folding box 60 particularly serves to accommodate a first folding-box insert 10 or a second folding-box insert 50, can however also basically be used for folding-box inserts which are differently designed.

The blank 61 of the folding box 60 comprises a base portion 62, a first side wall portion 63 having lateral first closure flaps 64, a cover portion 65 as well as in each case a second side wall portion 66, 67 which is articulated to the base portion 62 or the cover portion 65, wherein the second side wall portions 66, 67 can be adhesively bonded to each other in partial regions. In order to close the folding box 60 in the conventional manner, the one side wall portion 67 further comprises laterally disposed second closure flaps 68, which interact with the first closure flaps 69, with the third closure flaps 69, which are articulated to the cover portion 65 and with the fourth closure flaps 70, which are articulated to the base portion 62. In this connection, the first folding-box insert 10, or respectively the second folding-box insert, is laterally inserted into the interior of the folding box 60; and subsequently the folding box 60 is closed by means of the closure flaps 64, 68, 69 and 70, wherein said closure flaps 64, 68, 69 and 70 are optionally adhesively bonded to one another in a cartoner during the packaging process.

In order to remove individual articles 2, a cover 73 is configured in the cover portion 65 and in the one side wall 67. The cover 73 is formed by perforations 74, wherein said cover 73 has a tear-open tab 75, which in the closed state of the folding box 60 is disposed spaced apart from a cutout 76 in the second side wall portion 66 and can be easily grasped manually in order to open the cover 73.

It deserves mention here that instead of perforations 74 as weak points, scorings, which are preferably arranged offset to one another, can be configured on both sides of the cover 73.

It is essential to the invention that the design of the cover 73, or respectively the arrangement of the perforations 74, is configured such that when the folding box 60 is open, i.e. when the cover 73 is open, the cover portion 65 of said folding box 60, in particular in the corner regions 77 to 80 thereof, interacts with the first, or respectively the second, folding-box insert 10, 50 in such a way that the upper wall portions 14, 15 of said folding-box insert 10, 50 are arranged in locating contact with the corner regions 77 to 80 of said folding box 60 (FIG. 5). That means that despite said folding box 60 being open, said folding-box insert 10, 50 cannot be removed from said folding box 60 without said folding box 60 being damaged or the closure flaps 67 to 70 being opened. When the closure flaps 67 to 70 are adhesively bonded to one another, a tamper-evident packaging can also, for example, be formed.

The folding-box inserts 10, 50 described so far as well as the folding box 60 can be modified or varied in diverse ways without deviating from the thought of the invention. The folding-box inserts 10, 50 are particularly designed for accommodating at least one article 2, usually however for accommodating a plurality of articles 2, the articles 2 being disposed parallel to one another. In addition, provision can also be made to dispose a package insert (information and direction for use) within the folding box 60, e.g. in the region between the articles 2 and the base portion 11 or else between the articles 2 and the cover portion 64.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

-   1 blank -   2 article -   10 folding-box insert -   11 base portion -   12 side wall portion -   13 side wall portion -   14, 14 a upper wall portion -   15, 15 a upper wall portion -   16 outer side wall portion -   17 outer side wall portion -   18, 18 a end portion -   19, 19 a end portion -   20 fold -   21 fold -   22 fold -   23 fold -   24 fold -   25 fold -   26 fold -   27 fold -   29, 29 a cutout -   31 accommodating chamber -   32 accommodating chamber -   33 side flap -   34 side flap -   36 fold -   37 fold -   38 lateral delimiting edge -   39 lateral delimiting edge -   40 tuck in flap -   41 tuck in flap -   42 opening cross-section -   43 opening cross-section -   44 lateral edge -   45 lateral edge -   50 second folding-box insert -   51 blank -   52 erecting portion -   53 erecting portion -   54 slot -   55 fold -   60 folding box -   61 blank -   62 base portion -   63 first side wall portion -   64 first closure flap -   65 cover portion -   66 second side wall portion -   67 second side wall portion -   68 second closure flap -   69 third closure flap -   70 fourth closure flap -   73 cover -   74 perforations -   75 tear-open tab -   76 cutout -   77 corner region -   78 corner region -   79 corner region -   80 corner region 

1. A folding box insert (10; 50), having a blank (1; 51) which forms two accommodating chambers (31, 32) for accommodating end portions of the articles (2), wherein the accommodating chambers (31, 32) each comprise a wall portion (14; 14 a, 15; 15 a) which is spaced apart from a base portion (11) and has a cutout (29; 29 a) for accommodating the respective end portion of the article (2), and wherein the wall portion (14; 14 a, 15; 15 a) has flaps (33, 34; 52, 53) which are articulated via folds (36, 37; 55) and can be folded over in a direction of the base portion (11), characterized in that the flaps (33, 34; 52, 53) provide as means for propping up the accommodating chambers (31, 32).
 2. The folding box insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the flaps are disposed as first flaps (33, 34) via folds (36, 37) at at least one lateral delimiting edge (38, 39) of the wall portion (14, 15), wherein the first flap (33, 34) has such a form that said first flap can be folded into a lateral opening cross-section (42, 43) of the accommodating chamber (31, 32).
 3. The folding box insert according to claim 2, characterized in that the fold (36, 37) of the first flap (33, 34) is disposed laterally indented at the delimiting edge (38, 39) of the wall portion (14, 15).
 4. The folding box insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the flaps are designed as second flaps (52, 53), in that the second flap (52, 53) is articulated via a fold (55) at the cutout (29 a) for accommodating the end portion of the article (2) and in that said second flap (52, 53) can be folded in the direction of the base portion (11) into a lateral opening cross-section (42, 43) of the accommodating chamber (31, 32).
 5. The folding box insert according to claim 2, characterized in that the first flaps (33, 34) interact with side wall portions (12, 13, 16, 17) of the blank (1; 51), which connect the wall portion (14; 14 a, 15; 15 a) to the base portion (11).
 6. The folding box insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the base portion (11) which is disposed between the two accommodating chambers (31, 32) interacts with end portions (18, 19) of the blank (1; 51) and is locked and where applicable adhesively bonded to the same, the end portions (18, 19) being disposed on a bottom of the base portion (11).
 7. A folding box (60) for a folding-box insert (10; 50) according to claim 1, comprising a blank (61), which has closure flaps (64, 68 to 70) on opposite sides, via which the folding box insert (10; 50) with the articles (2) disposed therein can be laterally inserted into an erected blank (61) when the closure flaps (64, 68 to 70) are open, wherein said blank (61) has means for holding the folding-box insert (10; 50) in the folding box (60) when an article is removed, characterized in that the means are formed by a cover wall (65) of said blank (61), which rests against the folding-box insert (10; 50).
 8. The folding box according to claim 7, characterized in that the blank (61) has a cover (73) which is disposed at least in the cover wall (65) and in that the means are designed as regions (77 to 80) of the cover wall (65) which are disposed outside of the cover (73).
 9. The folding box according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover (73) is connected to the blank (61) via perforations (74) or at least one scoring.
 10. The folding box according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover (72) is configured to enter into a side wall portion (67) of the blank (61) and has a tear-open tab (75).
 11. The folding-box insert according to claim 4, characterized in that the second flaps (52, 53) interact with side wall portions (12, 13, 16, 17) of the blank (1; 51), which connect the wall portion (14; 14 a, 15; 15 a) to the base portion (11). 